A succession of injury problems in defence in recent weeks has seen Rob Holding thrust into action for Arsenal, having struggled for regular game time earlier in the season, and Unai Emery has challenged the young centre back to compete for a regular place in his team.
Holding was handed his first start of the season during Arsenal’s Europa League opener at home to Vorskla Poltava before being brought on for the injured Sokratis Papastathopoulos to make his first Premier League appearance of the season in the 2-0 win against Everton.
The 23-year-old looks set to start as Arsenal host Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and Emery has called on the defender to impress.